ScoutIndex

MIN MIN

Jay Ward

SAF

Drafted 134th overall in the 4th round of the 2023 draft, Jay Ward arrived from LSU. He's currently with MIN, in his 4th season in the league. His 39.1 ScoutIndex Rating last season was below the DEF average, in the 28th percentile.

Size

6'1", 190#

College

LSU

Draft

Rd 4, 134th overall (2023)

Seasons

2023–2026

2026 ScoutIndex Rating · DEF

Methodology
35.3

15th percentile among DEFs · limited sample

2 games

Splash plays×0.15-0.33
Pass rush×0.3-0.59
Ball skills×0.25-0.55
Run defense×0.2-0.74
Availability×0.1-1.01

Career (regular season)

SeasonTmSIGPass ydsPass TDRush ydsRush TDRecRec ydsRec TD
2026MIN35.32
2025MIN39.112
2024MIN35.78
2023MIN34.27

Career profile

Jay Ward has appeared in 29 regular-season games across 4 NFL seasons on file, all with MIN.

By the ScoutIndex Rating, his best qualified season was 2025: a 39.1, in the 28th percentile among DEFs that year.

2026 splits

regular season

2026 game log

WkOppLineScore
Week 2CHI—40.1
Week 4MIA—40.4

Jay Ward — common questions

What position does Jay Ward play?
Jay Ward is listed as an SAF.
Which teams has Jay Ward played for?
In the seasons on file (1999 onward), Jay Ward has played for MIN (2023–2026).
Where did Jay Ward go to college?
Jay Ward played college football at LSU.
When was Jay Ward drafted?
Jay Ward was selected in round 4, 134th overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft.
How many touchdowns has Jay Ward scored?
Jay Ward has no rushing, receiving or passing touchdowns in the regular-season games on file.
What is Jay Ward's ScoutIndex Rating?
Jay Ward rated 35.3 for 2026, the 15th percentile among DEFs (provisional or limited sample). Ratings run 0–99; about 60 is a league-average qualified starter.

Related players

Top teammates, last season on file

Drafted in round 4, 2023

Also from LSU